A former Ferrari chairman has criticized Fred Vasseur’s leadership amid the ongoing struggles of the F1 team, led by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Despite Vasseur orchestrating Hamilton’s high-profile move to Ferrari in early 2025, the season has fallen short of expectations, with the team failing to secure podium finishes so far.
Since joining Ferrari in January, Hamilton has faced challenges stemming from underperforming machinery and uncertainties surrounding his own form. Meanwhile, his teammate Charles Leclerc has outpaced Hamilton, although neither driver has claimed a race victory during the current campaign. Ferrari now focuses on developing a stronger car for the 2026 season, coinciding with major regulatory changes.
Former Chairman Questions Ferrari’s Current Leadership
Luca di Montezemolo, who chaired Ferrari between 1991 and 2004 and later served as president of FIAT S.p.A, the team’s parent company, voiced concerns about Fred Vasseur’s solitary approach to managing Ferrari. Di Montezemolo described the team as lacking spirit and direction, emphasizing the need for steady leadership.
“Today there’s no leadership and, above all, there’s no soul,”
Di Montezemolo said in an interview with Gazzetta.
“I don’t know Vasseur and I don’t criticise him, but I see a lonely man.
Too many changes, the team needs stability. Fiat wanted me to fire Todt, but I refused. I said, ‘If he leaves, I’ll leave too.’”
The Challenge of Restoring Ferrari’s Championship Legacy
Di Montezemolo’s era was marked by bold decisions, including appointing Jean Todt as Ferrari’s team principal in 1993 and signing Michael Schumacher in 1996. This leadership trio, alongside technical director Ross Brawn, propelled Ferrari to dominance with five drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships between 1999 and 2004.
In a parallel move, Frenchman Fred Vasseur recruited Lewis Hamilton after two seasons at Ferrari’s helm, aiming to revive the team’s fortunes. Although Ferrari’s 2025 campaign has so far been disappointing, the season may serve as a foundation for building a competitive squad ahead of 2026’s significant rule changes.
Hamilton, together with new team members such as Loic Serra, is settling into the team in what could be a transition period, hoping to unlock the potential required to challenge for championships again.
While Ferrari did not achieve immediate success during the Todt-Schumacher-Brawn era, their eventual dominance suggests that patience and cohesion might be essential for Vasseur’s leadership to yield results in the coming years.
What Lies Ahead for Ferrari and Hamilton
With fresh regulations poised to reshape Formula 1 in 2026, Ferrari is determined to construct a race-winning car capable of competing for titles once more. The recent contract extension granted to Vasseur signals the team’s commitment to his vision, despite current difficulties.
The performance gap to rivals and internal leadership questions present considerable hurdles, but Ferrari’s history reflects that strategic appointments and stability can bring lasting success. The next months will be critical in assessing whether Hamilton and Vasseur can architect a new era of competitiveness for Scuderia Ferrari.
